NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson has admitted he initially didn't want to sign red-hot Chile star Clarence Acuna.

The Magpies captured the 55-cap midfielder this month in a £1.2m deal with Universidad de Chile after a protracted chase.

Acuna was impressive on his Newcastle debut in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at West Ham and is poised to make his home bow in tomorrow's Worthington Cup third-round tussle with Bradford City.

But Robson confessed: "I didn't want to sign Acuna - but he's such a good player, he forced me to do so!

"When he first came to our notice, I was reluctant to sign him. We already had Nolberto Solano, Daniel Cordone, Cristian Bassedas and Diego Gavilan and I felt we were up to the brim with South Americans.

"But Acuna came and trained with us for ten days and we soon saw he was top class.''

Robson's latest signing could be joined tomorrow by fellow midfielder Bassedas, who is in line for his senior United debut.

The Argentinian, signed from Velez Sarsfield in the summer for £4m, has yet to figure after breaking a bone in a foot on Newcastle's pre-season tour of America.

French full-back Didier Domi, understood to be attracting renewed interest from his former club, Paris St. Germain, is available after missing the West Ham game with flu.

But Spanish central defender Marcelino is still struggling with a groin injury.

l David O'Leary last night hinted he would refuse to release Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate if they were selected for England, writes NEIL ANDREWS.

England caretaker coach Peter Taylor wants the FA to lift the international ban on the Leeds duo.

Bowyer and Woodgate have been suspended since January after being charged with affray and causing grievous bodily harm following an incident in Leeds last January.

The case is due to come to trial on January 29 at Hull Crown Court, and Leeds confirmed they cannot appeal against that date.

Taylor, in charge initially for the friendly against Italy in Turin next month, has an ally in United chairman Peter Ridsdale who is on the FA's international committee and seven-man panel considering the replacement for Kevin Keegan.

O'Leary said: ''I would like him (Taylor) to pick them, and then you would see what I would do.''

O'Leary was yesterday asked to clarify his statement and he added: "It's no good speculating because it hasn't happened, but if it did then I would have to have a good think about it.'